(Reuters) – Amazon said on Tuesday that it has partnered with Marriott International to help increase guest access to amenities with Alexa, through its voice-controlled device Echo, in an attempt to expand its presence in Read more…

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Google is drawing thousands of new customers to gyms and salons each month through its Reserve appointment-booking tool released last year, Reuters has learned, a quiet step in the company’s transition Read more…

Smart home devices and systems promise to deliver a new world of detailed consumer data and insight – and telcos, retailers, advertisers, and a host of service providers are keen to leverage those insights, finds a Read more…

BARCELONA (Reuters) – Spanish mobile operator Telefonica on Sunday launched a voice-activated assistant, called ‘Aura’, in six countries, using artificial intelligence to interact with its customers. The announcement, on the eve of the Mobile World Read more…

The controversy over Apple’s HomePod continues to simmer – late to the party, overpriced, no stereo, music from Apple sources only, limited Siri commands, limited third party SiriKit support. I’ve now had my HomePod over Read more…

By 2020, 25% of customer service and support operations will integrate virtual customer assistant (VCA) or chatbot technology across engagement channels, up from less than 2% in 2017, according to Gartner. Speaking at of the Gartner Customer Experience Summit in Read more…

Apple’s much awaited HomePod is now available for pre-order and will start shipping on February 9. At $399, it is going up against some of the very best that the audio industry has to offer. Read more…

Apart from automobiles, the prevailing theme at CES is one of boredom. Those looking for new trends have instead found the same stories as last year, albeit a bit more advanced than the last time Read more…